Dealing with Homesickness & Adjusting to the Lifestyle

Moving away from home can be a tough experience for anybody especially when your friends and family are 3800 miles away. At first I felt a new sense of independence because I have always lived at home and getting accepted to USW in Cardiff gave me the opportunity to learn many things on my own. There is a lot of pressure around university being the “time of your life” and because of this misconception many students believe they are the only ones struggling with days of remorse and loneliness. Although there are many fun times at university, this post will give tips on how to deal with homesickness and adjusting to the abroad lifestyle, when your emotions can feel overwhelming.

Tip #1- Self Care is Essential

It is important to take 1 day out of the week to pamper yourself and give yourself some self-love. In order to save money but still spoil myself, I enjoyed taking the day to paint my nails, do a hair and facemask, exfoliate, and some caster oil on my eyelashes and hair. A spa day in your room with friends can feel very relaxing and put your stresses of missing home at ease. Although many other things can seem more important, taking care of your physical appearance and health helps with your mental state of mind and after many travelling days or study sessions you deserve to indulge in your favourite spa day activities!

Three Cliffs Bay is a must-see!

Tip #2- Give it a Go!

If you're looking to get familiar with Wales, 'Give it a Go' day-trips are affiliated with Cardiff University and are great ways to see the sights. Everything is organized for you, which is a great way to start if you're new to travelling alone. You also meet tons of other students who are in the same boat, many of them are international students looking to explore and meet new friends as well. We went to Stonehenge and Three Cliffs Bay in October, and there were certainly no regrets! It's super easy to sign up, just follow this link to the Cardiff University website.

Tip #3 – Talk it Out

If you feel that you are struggling to deal with homesickness then there are many people you can talk it out with. Bottling these emotions of loneliness can be very unhealthy and frustrating and in the end make you feel more alone. Chances are your friends are feeling similar emotions and discussing your homesickness with a peer can help put the situation into perspective, that you are not alone. If you don’t feel comfortable opening up to a peer about this topic then there are professors who are easy to talk to and even counsellors that you can book sessions with, no matter how miniscule your issues may seem, there is no better to time to seek help when it is free and confidential.

Tip #4 – Skype Home!

The first few weeks that I left home I wanted to call my friends and family every day so that it would feel like nothing had changed. Being able to Skype made it feel as though I was at home, still surrounded by everyone I loved, but as the first month passed I realized I needed to take advantage of the situation I was in… living in the UK! I started video chatting everyone a little less often each month so that I could get out and make the most of my short time living in Cardiff and although my homesickness can still pop up at random moments, every day got a little bit easier to be so far away from home. Skype home as much as you need to, but also embrace the fact that for maybe the first time in your life you’re not living at home and this can be a great opportunity to branch out and do many once in a lifetime, adventurous experiences!

Tip #5 - Pack Your Comfort Items

Whether you rent an off campus apartment/house or live in halls you will probably be walking into a blank room/s. While packing to live abroad it may seem necessary to bring your entire closet but try to make room for your favourite décor items, like photos of family and friends, your teapot/mug, posters, bedding and/or lighting options. These little items can make a big difference in how much time you feel comfortable spending in your room. The more you are able to make your room feel like back home or a new home you love, it will be much easier to feel at ease spending time in your room. Forget the 10th pair of shoes and pack that cozy childhood blanket!

Tip #6 - Go out and Party!

Even though your room might feel like your temple, it is important to get out for a little while. Going for drinks with friends, grabbing a coffee, going dancing or out for dinner can be great ways to get your mind off of being homesick. There are many pubs and clubs near the USW campus that offer student drinking and meal deals. Celebrate the milestones you’ve made, the changes you’ve conquered or just the fact that it’s Friday, with a glass of wine. If being in a quiet place is more your bliss then there are many local coffee shops that offer delicious pastries, free Wi-Fi and quiet music.

Hope this helps with adjusting to the Welsh lifestyle and missing home!

-Jenna